Device for locating the position of a movable body



May 18, 1937.

H. E. SJSTRAND DEVICE FOR LOCATING THE POSITION OF A MOVABLE BODY Filed Deo. 1o, 19:52

[Ni/ENTER: JAL-MAE E, EJ'DETEAND,

HIE' TTmENEyE 2 sheets-sheet 1 I .May 18, 1937 H. E. sJsTRAND DEVICE FOR LOCATING THE POSITION OF A MOVABLE BODY Filed Deo. l0, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lll 4.9 [lill hin/ENTER.

HJALMAE E EJUETRAND.

by H15 TTDENEYE.

Patented May 1s, 1931 UNlTED lsierras' PATENT. OFFICE.v

DEVICE FOB. LOCATING THE POSITION GF A MOVABLE BODY Hjalmar E. Sjstrand, Ravala, Grangesberg,

Sweden Application December 1o, 1932, seran No. 646,728

' 12 claims. (ol. 25o-11) My invention more particularly relates to a device .which utilizes electromagnetic waves of diiferent characteristics and transmitted from spaced stations of knownposition for locating the position of a movable body. My invention is particularly applicable for use in locating the position of a vessel or airplane, although it will be understood that it is equally applicable for indicating the position of any movable body.

My invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which- Fig. 12 is a perspective View illustrating somewhat diagrammatically the device embodying my invention; I Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the manner of supporting or suspending the parts of the device from a fixed support on the body;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view illustrating certain of the parts which maintain the table and the chart mounted thereon oriented in a predetermined direction;

Fig. 4 is a plan View of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section taken along the line 5 5 of 5 Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a diagram of connections of the parts which maintain the table oriented;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view illustrating means for producing on the table or the chart mounted thereon lines coinciding with the lines of direction from the movable body. to the respective stations from which electro magnetic waves of different characteristics are transmitted;

Fig;V 8 is a diagram of connections illustrating the relation of the elements which receive electromagnetic waves of different wave Ylengths and produce intersecting lineswhich determine the position of the movable body; and

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic View illustrating a sensitive form of relay.

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

Referring to the drawings and rst to Figs. 1 to 5, l@ indicates generally a frame rotatably 45 mounted or suspended on a support ii which, in

the case of a vessel for use on which I have particularly illustrated my device, is secured to the vessel.

The support H is provided with a hub or co1- 50 lar l2 having an opening I3 through which extends a shaft it having a ange I5 which is secured thereto and preferably formed integral f therewith. Roller bearings llare preferably interposed between the flange I5 and the hub. l2.

55 The shaft I 4 is continuously rotated by a sprocket I1, in the embodiment illustrated, secured to the shaft I4 and engaged by a. sprocket chain I8 which may be continuously driven by any suitable source of power (not illustrated).

The shaft it is surrounded by a sleeve i9 5 located immediately beneath the hub I2 which is provided at its upper ends with a screw-threaded portion 20 on which is received a nut 2l which is in turn received in a recess 22 in a cross bar 23 forming part of the frame I0. The lower end l0 of the sleeve I9 is provided with a ange 2d, two supporting arms 25 and 26 being interposed between the flange 2t and the frame 23 and pivotally mounted on the sleeve. Bearing washers 2 are preferably interposed .between the arm 25 15 and theframe 2S. Sprocliet wheels 28 and '29 are secured to and preferably integral with a hub surrounding the shaft I t, the hub being secured to the shaft as by a pin 3i. The sprocket wheels 28 and 29 actuate parts which will here- 20 inafter be more fully described. Ball bearings 32 are preferably interposed between the upper end of the hub 30 and the ange 2d on the sleeve I9.

To the ends of the transverse bar 23 are secured supporting standards 3d, the lower ends 25 of which are secured to a dished member 35. A table 33 having an upper free surface is secured to the standards 3d as by nuts 3l. In the embodiment of my invention illustrated, a chart 33 is mounted on the upper surface of the table 36, 30 although it will be understood that under some conditions a chart will be unnecessary.

En accordance with my invention, means are provided for maintaining the table Se oriented in a predetermined direction. In the embodiment 35 of my invention illustrated the means for so maintaining the table oriented comprises a freely mounted magnetic needle' 39 the spindle lli of which has its bearings at M and d2 in the bottom and top plates, respectively, of a casing t3 40 which is mounted .for universal movement within the dished member 35, the casing t3 being pivotally mounted in a gimbal ring d4 which is in turn rotatably mounted within the dished member 35, as in the usual gimbal. The magnetic needle is thus kept in a horizontal position irrespective of the movements of the vessel or other movable body on which it is located.

A source of light, which is shown in the form of an incandescent lamp d5, is mounted in a casing 46, the casing being mounted on a standard il which is in turn mounted on the casing 43.

The lamp 45 is included in a circuit (see Figs. 1 and. 6) in which is included a battery 49. A transverse opaque partition 50 is mounted in the 55 as best shown in Fig. 5, through which passes a line of light which then passes through a projecting lens 52.

A mirror 53 is mounted on the upper end of the spindle 48 and preferably at an angle of 45 thereto.- Selenium or other photo-electric cells,

. 54 and 54| are mounted on the casing 43 in spaced, and preferably in parallel relation, as best/shown in Figs. 1 and 4. At the respective ends of the cells are mounted two pairs of mirrors 55 and 56 arranged at an angle to each other and to the photo-electric cells. The ends of the two pairs of mirrors 55 and 56 are slightly spaced as at 51. The lens 52 is so located relatively to the slit 5| in the partition 58 as normally to project the image of the slit between the mirrors 55.

I have illustrated a device for mounting the mirror and the parts associated therewith which are applicable for a vessel where the angle of turning of the vessel from the horizontal is through a comparatively small angle. It will, or

' course, be understood that if the device were used on an airplane, as it is intended to be,.and where the plane may turn through an angle of 360, that the gimbal ring 44 would have to be sufciently large and the dished member 35 would have to be of suiiicient depth to permit them to turn around the casing 46.

The means for maintaining the table oriented in a predetermined direction also comprises a motor 58 which, it will be understood, is mounted on a stationary portion of the vessel. The shaft 59 of the motor is provided with a worm 68 engaging a worm wheel 6| on a shaft 62, the lower end of which is provided with a bearing 63 received in an opening 64 in a part 65 of the vessel. It will be understood, however, that under some conditions the parts may be suspended from above and the bearing 63 will be unnecessary. In that case, however, the motor would be mounted on the fixed frame and actuate a worm wheel secured to the frame 23. It will be understood that the shaft 62 is secured within the hub 66 in the lower portion of the dished member 35.

Referring particularly to Fig. 6, the selenium cells 54 and 54| are connected by a conductor 61 to one pole of a battery 68, the other pole of the battery 68 is connected to a point from which the circuit branches, one portion of the circuit passing through a coil 18 and conductor 1| to the selenium cell 54 while the other branch includes a coil 12 and a conductor 13 which is connected to the selenium cell 54|.

The battery 68 is also connected to the armature 14 of the motor 58. The motor comprises a eld indicated generally at 15 and comprising two windings 15| and 152. The terminal of the coil 15| is connected to a movable contact 16 which cooperates with a iixed contact 11 while the terminal of the field coil 152 is connected to a movable contact 18 cooperating with a xed contact 19. Both of the fixed contacts 11 and 19 are connected by a conductor 88 to the battery 68. I have illustrated the coils 18 and 12 wound on a bar of iron 8| in a direction to produce oppo- @1,036,511 Vcasing 46 and'is provided with a narrow slit 5|,

poles at the ends of the bar 8l when the respective coils are energized.

The operation of the device for correcting the position of the table 36 and for maintaining the same oriented in a predetermined direction will readily be understood from the foregoing description and is as follows.

Normally, as above described, the line oi light from the light source 45 passes through the space or opening 51 between the mirrors 55. Assuming that the vessel on which the device embodying my invention is mounted turns from its course, then the support Il partakes of this movement and the frame 23 will be turned. The casing 43 will also be turned whilethe magnetic needle 39 and the mirror 53 which is mounted on the spindle thereof will remain stationary. The beam of light 45 then, instead of passing through the opening 51 between the mirrors, will be directed against one or the other of the mirrors 55 depending upon the direction.v of turning oi the vessel and the light will be directed against the photoelectric cell 54 or 54|. It will be understood that the surface of the table 35 or the chart 38 which chart corresponding in relativev positions to the positions on the surface of the earth occupied by the two stations which transmit waves of different characteristics. The axis of the casing |85 is then positioned over the point |23. This position may conveniently be determined by moving the casing |85 until the slightly enlarged portion of the line of light produced by the enlarged portion |28 in the slot` I8 coincides with the point |23. placed exactly above the point |24. It will be understood that the supporting arms 25 and |84 for the casing |85 and the ,corresponding arms for the casing |85a may be so moved as to bring the casing to any desired position.

Assuming that the vessel turns and the light is directed against the cell 54, the resistance of the cell is greatly decreased and the coil 18, which is normally included in the circuit of the cell 54, and which is normally deenergized, is now energized and the associated end of the bar 8| is attracted by the magnet 82 andthe left hand end of the bar, as viewed in Fig. 6, brings the movable contact 16 into engagement with the stationary contact 11 thereby closing a circuit from the battery 68 through the amature of the motor, the field coil 152, and the contacts 16 and 11 to the other pole of the battery 68. The armature of the motor is thereby caused to rotate in a direction to turn the dished member 35 in a direction to bring the mirrors 55 and 56 back to the position where the light beam from the mirror 53 passes through the opening 51. As the table 36 moves with the dished member 35, the position of the table is thereby corrected to maintain it oriented in substantially the same direction.

Conversely, should the vessel turn in the opposite direction, then the light from the lamp 45 would be directed against the photo-electric cell 54|, the contacts 18 and 19 would be closed and the circuit closed' through the amature of the motor 58 and through the eld 152 and as the current is reversed in the i'leld the armature of the motor would then rotate in the opposite direction, thereby returning the photo-electric cells and the table and chart to their normal positions. While I have illustrated photo-electric cells and associated means for maintaining the table ori- Similarly the axis of the casing |85'l is ented in a predetermined direction, it

will be understood that any known means may be utilized or this purpose.

In ac ordance with my invention, means are also pro ded for producing on the surface of the table or the chart mounted thereon visible lines which coincide with the lines of direction from the movable body -to spaced radiostations of known location, in the embodiment illustrated two in number, from which electromagnetic waves of diiferent characteristics are transmitted. In the embodiment of my invention illustrated, a wire loop 83 is wound on a suitable frame 84 which is mounted on the shaft |4, the loop being continuously rotated by the sprocket wheel l1. In accordance with my invention, radio or electromagnetic waves are continuously transmitted from spaced transmitting stations of known location to the device embodying my invention and are received bythe loop 83. The terminals 85 and 06 of the loop are connected to collector rings 81 and 88, respectively. Brushes 89 and 90 engage the two collector rings and are connected to two conductors 9| and 92 respectively which are connected to receivers 93y and 94.

Preferably waves of different lengths are broadcast from the diierent stations and the receiver 93, as Well as the receiver 94 is tuned to the wave length broadcast from a given station, and is received on the input side of the receiver and amplified. The amplied signal is partly rectified by the detector tube and the resultant current impulses pass through the circuit 95 which includes the battery 96 and the relay 91. The resultant current impulses vary in proportion to the incoming signal so that as the incoming signal increases the current in the relay circuit is correspondingly increased and vice versa. It is to be understood, however, that waves of the same length may be transmitted from the diiferent stations with different modulated frequencies, and the different modulated frequencies separated in the audio side of the receiver. As current is normally induced in the loop 83 the relay 91 is normally energized and maintains normally open a circuit indicated generally at 98, said circuit being utilized for the production of visible lines which, in the embodiment illustrated, are lines of light on the chart 38.

A sprocket wheel 99 is provided with a hub |00 (Fig. '7) and is secured on a shaft |0| passing through the free end of the arm 25. The shaft |0| is surrounded by a sleeve |02, as best shown in Fig. '7, on the upper screw-threaded portion of which is received two Washers |03 which are interposed between the end of the arm and the sprocket wheel 99, suitable ball bearings preferably being provided between the hub |00 and the upper washer 03.

An arm H04 is pivotally mounted on the sleeve |02 and has a fairly tight t thereon. On the end of the arm |04 is. mounted a casing |05 on the contracted upper end |05"of which is mounted a sprocket Wheel |01 which is engaged .by a

l from the shaft.

.mitting station from which a conductor mounted on a stationary member ||2, the conductor being connected to a. conducting strip ||3 preferably provided with a contact member ||4 which engages a conductor H5 which is connected to one terminal of the lamp I0, the other end of the lamp 0 being grounded as at IIB. Light rays from the neon lamp pass through a cylindrical lens ||1 which concentrates the light rays into a slot 8 with which a partition member ||9 mounted in the casing |05 is provided. The slot H8 may be similar to the slot 5| except for the fact that an enlarged portion |20 is preferably provided at an intermediate portion of the' slot for a purpose which will hereinafter be referred to'.

The beam of light passing through the slot ||8 then passes through wide angle projection lenses |2| which project and intermittently produce on the chart a visible line of light |22.

It will, of course, be understood that suitable take-up mechanism for the sprockets which are actuated by .the shaft |4 and which have not been illustrated, are provided. Furthermore, suitable gearing may be interposed between the shaft I4 and the casing 05 for driving the same 'the chart, it will be understood that other means may be used for producing the intersecting lines. For example, the respective casings 05 and |05a may be properly positioned with .respect to the transmitting stations ,byV coils of the character illustratedv in my application Ser. No. 646,729 which .was led in the Patent Oice on or about .December l0, 1932, Patent No. 2,043,336, issued June 9, 1936. Furthermore, the casings |05 and |05a may be properly positioned by the operator by known direction finders.

The coil 83 may conveniently be'rotated at a speed of say 250 R. -P. M., thereby closing the circuit 98 approximately 500 times per minute. Members |05 and |05*l are so geared to the shaft I4 as to be rotated in synchronism with the coil 83, but are, in the embodiment here shown 90 out of phase therewith.

The operation of thedevice for producing lines of light on the chart 38 will readily be under--l stood from the foregoing description,v and is as follows: when the plane of the coil 83 is at right angles to the direction line between the movable body on which the device is located and the transthe waves under consideration are being received, the plane of the coil 83 is parallel to the direction line of the electromagnetic waves, and momentarily there is no induced current in the coil 83. The circuit 98 including the lamp l l0 is thereby closed and a light line |22 is produced on the chart which coincides with the `direction line from the movable body to the transmitting station from which the waves are being received. n

Similarly, a line |25 is produced on the chart by the lamp and associated parts within the casing |05 which coincides with the line of direction from the movable body to the other station whose transmitting waves are of a diierent characteristic from the iirst station assumed.

body to the respective stations, and the point of intersection between 'the two lines |22 and |23 will correspond to the location of said movable body on the surface of the earth.

It will, oi! course. be understood that the relay 91 may be quick acting and sensitive and acts reversely to the ordinary relay. That is, when' the ordinary relay is energized, the circuit controlled thereby is closed. On the other hand, when the relay 91 is energized the circuit 98 controlled thereby is opened.

In Fig. 9 I have illustrated a sensitive relay which is better adapted to respond to the rather feeble currents from the receiver than that illustrated in Fig. 1. In the embodiment here illustrated the output side of the receiver 94 is connected to the primary 94| of a transformer, the secondary 942 of which is connected to a galvanometer |21 through a permanently adjusted crystal 943 Aor other suitable type of valve. This varrangement gives the galvanometer a pulsating direct current and holds the mirror to one side only and is also free from current when no signal is received. t l

An electric lamp |29 is included in a circuit including a battery |30. The light from the lamp passes through a slit |3| in a screen |32 through a projector lens |33 and against the mirror |28. Normally the beam of light from the mirror |28 is reflected against a screen |34. When, however, minimum current is received in the coil of the galvanometer |21, then the mirror |28 is turned in such a direction as to reflect the beam past the screen |34 and against the selenium cell 54, thereby closing a circuit to a'relay corresponding to the relay 91, or directly to the lamp H0.

While I have described my invention in its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the words which I have used are words of description rather than of limitation and that changes Within the purview of the appended claims may be made without departing from the true scope and spirit of my invention in its broader aspects.

What I claim is:

l. In a navigating apparatus for a movable body, a chart movably mounted on said body, means for maintaining said chart oriented, pivota-lly mounted indicating means, universally mounted supporting means forsaid indicating means affording universal adjustment thereof relative to said chart whereby said indicating means may be positioned to pivot over points on said chart representing the geographical position of transmitting stations, a rotatable loop antenna, means for rotating said antennal and said indicating means substantially in synchronism, and means associated with said loop and indicating means for eiecting an antenna-controlled operation of said indicating means.

2. In a device of the character described foruse on a movable body, a chart movably mounted on said body, means for automatically maintaining said chart oriented, means for receiving radio magnetic waves transmitted from known broadcasting stations, a plurality of means controlled by said receiving means adapted cooperatively to indicate continuously on said chart the position of said movable body and universally mounted supporting means movable relatively to said chart for said last mentioned means whereby said means may be moved over said chart and provide an uninterrupted indication of the geographical location of said body. t

3. In a device of the character described for use on `a movable body, a chart movably mounted on said body, means for automatically maintaining said chart oriented, means for receiving radio magnetic waves transmitted from known broadcasting stations, indicating means controlled by said receiving means and comprising a plurality of pivotally mounted linear indicators adapted cooperatively to indicate on said chart the position of said movable body; and universally mounted supporting means movable relatively to saidA chart for said indicating means whereby said indicators may be positioned to pivot over points on said chart representing the geographical locations of said stations.

'4. In a navigating apparatus for a movable body, a chart movably mounted on said body, means for automatically maintaining said chart oriented, means including a directional antenna for receiving radio magnetic waves transmitted from a desired -plurality of broadcasting stations, means operable in response to the desired, induced currents in said antenna of predetermined magnitude to produce on said chart intersecting linear indications representing the directions of said stations from said body, and universally mounted 4supporting means movable relatively to said chart for said last mentioned means whereby said means may be positioned over points on said chart representing the desired broadcasting stations.

5. In a navigating apparatus for a movable body, a chart movably mounted on said body, means for automatically maintaining said chart oriented, a rotatable loop antenna. indicating means, means for rotating said antenna andindicating means substantially in synchronism, and means responsive to induced antenna' currents interposed in circuit with said antenna for controlling an operation of said indicating means to produce an indication on said-chart representibiigiy the geographical position of said movable 6. InK a Idevice of the character described for use on a movable body, a chart movably mounted on said body, means for maintaining said chart oriented, means for receiving radio magnetic waves transmitted from a broadcasting station including a rotatable `loop antenna, means for rotating said loop, a plurality of means controlled by said receiving means for producing an indication on said chart representing the geographical position of said movable body, and universallymounted means movable relatively to said chart for'supporting said indicating means whereby said means may be positioned over desired points on said chart.

7. In a device of the character described for use on a movable body, a chart movably mounted on said body, means for maintaining said chart oriented, means for receiving radio magnetic waves transmitted from a. plurality of broadcasting stations including a rotatable loop antenna, means forrotating said loop, a pluralitypf means controlled by said receiving means for producing linear indications on said chart representing the directions of lsaid stations from said body, and universally mounted means comprising arms litr-A said last mentioned means -means for automatically maintaining said chart oriented, means for receiving radio magnetic waves transmitted from broadcasting stations including a rotatable loop antenna, means for rotating said antenna, a plurality of means controlled by said receiving means adapted cooperatively to indicate on said chart the geographical position of said body, and universally mounted means comprising arms movable relatively to said chart and to each other for supporting the respective indicating means, whereby said latter means may be positioned over desired points on said chart representing geographical locations of broadcasting stations.

9. In a navigating device of the character described for use on a movable body, a chart movably mounted on said body, means for automatically maintaining said chart oriented, means for receiving radio magnetic wavesV transmitted from known broadcasting stations, a plurality of cooperatively disposed means controlled by said receiving means adapted cooperatively to indicate on said chart the geographical position of said body, and universal supporting means for said last mentioned means; said supporting means being adapted to permit universal adjustment of to desired positions over said chart. j

10.A In a navigating device of the character described for use on a movable bodya chart movably mounted on said body, means for automatvically maintaining said chart oriented, means for receiving radio magnetic waves transmitted from known broadcasting stations including a rotatable loop antenna, a plurality of cooperatively disposed indicating means controlled by said receiving means adapted cooperatively to indicate on said chart the position of said body, universal supporting means therefor and means for rotating said indicating means and loop; said supporting means and last mentioned means aording universal adjustment of said indicatingv means over said chart while maintaining said indicating means in xed angular relation to said loop.

11. In a navigating device of the character described for use on a movable body, a chart movably mounted on said body, means for. automatically maintaining said chart oriented, means for receiving radio magnetic waves transmitted from known broadcasting stations including a rotatable loop antenna, a plurality of cooperatively disposed indicating means controlled by said receiving means adapted cooperatively to indicate on said chart the position of said body, universal supporting ,means therefor and means for rotating said indicating means and loop; said supporting means and last mentioned means affording universal adjustment of said indicating means on said chart while maintaining said indicating means substantially at right angles to the plane of said loop.

12. In a navigating device of the character described for use on a movable body, a chart movably mounted on said body, means for automatically maintaining said chart oriented, a ilrst electrical circuit including means for receiving radio magnetic waves transmitted from desired broadcasting stations, a second electric circuit including a plurality of cooperatively disposed means adapted cooperatively to indicate on said chart the position of said body, means for supporting said last mentioned means for permitting universal adjustment thereof relative to said chart and means disposed in said rst circuit and operable when the desired induced currents in said receiving means are a minimum for controlling the operation of said indicating means.

, HJAIMAR. E. SJSIRAND. 

